“In the days when we did not have as many tourist attractions in Kuching, this bridge was one that every tourist must visit and cross if one dared. It was an icon for Sarawak and gained a historical and heritage value over the years.

“Because of that, I hope the new bridge to be erected will not be a modern one but one as close to the old one as possible in terms of its structure, to give to it a sense of antiquity even though it may not be the original bridge,” said Wee.

Santubong Member of Parliament Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, who grew up near the suspension bridge, recalled that the structure was linked to ghost stories and strange legends among villagers.

“We were told that the bridge was haunted as they were skulls buried under both ends of the foundation, as offerings, to ensure that it would stand and stand forever.

“We were also told that we were not to jump into the river because swarms of bees would emerge from the water if we did so,” said the Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker.

Despite the scary tales, he still has fond memories of the bridge.

“I remember in the 1950s, when I was small, my family and I took the Matang Bus, which was more of a tram, to cross the bridge without us having to alight the bus when crossing.

“But in 1960s, the bus could still take about six passengers but we had to alight from the bus while the bus was crossing the bridge and we had to walk behind it,” said Wan Junaidi.

He also recalled re-enacting sword-fighting scenes from movies with his friends on the bridge and playing ‘Tarzan’ by swinging from the bridge to the river bank.

Legendary former Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) ‘Nyap Sayot’ coach Awang Mahyan Awang Mohamad also hopes to see the bridge rebuilt.

In 1988, he led a group of over 100 – including half his team – to jump off the bridge into the river when Sarawak qualified for the Malaysia Cup semi-final after beating Johor.

“There was a sense of fulfilment when I jumped. And if my health permits it and the bridge is rebuilt again, I may well again do it if the FAS takes off again,” said the 62-year-old former coach.

“To me, the bridge signified the fighting spirit of ‘Nyap Sayot’ and to rebuild it is the restoration of the spirit, for whoever understands the significance of the bridge.”

The Satok Suspension Bridge, which collapsed at 4am on Oct 7, 2004 – a day after a storm – was first mooted in 1902, but its construction only began in 1923 at a cost of US$52,000.

Completed in 1926 by architect AS Lowe to hold 0.3m water pipes connecting the reservoir in Matang to Kuching town, the bridge nicknamed ‘San Francisco Bridge’ was mainly for pedestrians as it only allowed vehicles up to 1,360kg.

It was 130 metres long and 2.3 metres wide, suspended 18 metres above the Sarawak River.